Chapter 47 Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Claire's POV

"You've got to be mistaken," Hailey shrieked after a moment of silence.

"How could it possibly be her!"

"Excuse me, are you Claire?" The man's smile was polite, but his eyes were an icy detachment, "If you're not Claire, please step back."

"You..." Hailey flushed with anger.

"This is the Eternal Star Hotel, the Morris family's banquet hall," the man said indifferently, "Deciding who should be received and who should not, is my responsibility. I don't need your reminders!"

Hailey turned pale with rage, her lips twitching, unable to speak a word.

Susie and Mike exchanged puzzled glances; they too found the situation incredible.

"Claire, a disheveled and unrecognized daughter - what right does she have to be here?"

The man didn't care for Hailey's words and approached me instead. "Miss Watson," he said with a respectful nod, "please come with me."

My heart was pounding as if thunder had struck from the sky, leaving my mind blank.

"Sir, you... you must be mistaken?" I asked quietly, tentatively, "I don't have an invitation, and I'm not here for the ball, I just wanted to deliver some documents..."

"Miss Watson, please accompany me inside, don't make it difficult for me," the man said, smiling at me.

"Hey!" Susie couldn't hold back and grabbed the man's arm, "What about us?"

The man's lips curved slightly, "Do you have an invitation?"

"Who needs an invitation!" Susie stood with her hands on her hips, looking defiant, "Go inside and ask around, the wife of the heir to the Rock pack of the Turner family – she's my aunt's niece! Just one word from her and we're in! Who are you to demand an invitation from me!"

"The Turner family?" The man suppressed a smile and chuckled lightly, "Madam, I am the general manager of the Eternal Star Hotel, serving only the four major families. This 'Turner family' you're speaking of – I haven't seen them on the list."

Susie's face changed, and Mike glared at her resentfully.

As more people passed by, some looked curiously at them, their gazes sharp as blades, making Mike uncomfortably conspicuous.

"Miss Watson," the manager said, extending his hand with utmost respect, "this way, please!"

I pursed my lips and followed with light steps. The manager clapped his hands, and attendants immediately came to my sides, protecting me from any media harassment.

Hailey watched, seething, as I entered the resplendent hall surrounded by stars, stamping her foot in frustration.

I followed the manager into a room, a breathtakingly beautiful place, like a palace fit for a fairy.

But we were far from the banquet hall, its tumultuous noises unheard.

On the table lay exquisitely elegant dishes, a feast for the senses, with waitstaff ready at beck and call.

I was puzzled when the manager gave a gentle smile and said, “Miss Watson, please have a meal first. My Alpha knew you wouldn’t come dressed for a formal event, so he arranged for you to be here. Are you satisfied with this?”

I was taken aback and nodded vigorously.

“The Alpha said that it’s fine if you do not attend the banquet, as long as you eat well, drink well, and have a great time.”

“May I ask who your Alpha is...?” I inquired.

The manager gave a meaningful smile, glancing at the documents in his hand.

“Whom is Miss Watson supposed to deliver these materials to tonight?” he asked.

I thought for a moment. Could it be that I barged into the Brown Group building in the afternoon and was spotted by Kevin?

Could the Alpha they spoke of be Kevin? He had quite the hospitality, arranging for me to be away from the banquet hall so I wouldn’t have to squeeze through the crowd, letting me eat to my heart's content, and rest fully in this place.

Maybe I could even ask this gentleman to pass on the sales proposal...

I smiled, bowed to the manager, and then handed over the documents to him with due solemnity.

...

After returning to New Jersey, I excitedly told Colin about it.

Colin sat elegantly on the sofa, looking at me bustling about the house and chirping cheerfully, “What’s got you so happy?”

I was thrilled, not only because I successfully delivered the sales proposal but also because I saw the twisted, furious faces of Susie and Hailey blocked at the entrance of the banquet hall.

However, I didn't mention this latter part to Colin.

As a result, Kevin's name came up several times in my description.

“I thought this business trip would end in vain, but thanks to Kevin, I managed to hand over the sales proposal, and I felt accountable to the company.”

“It was unexpected; Kevin was quite amiable and even invited me in! Ha, but I didn’t attend that banquet, just hung around in a beautiful room, eating and drinking.”

“Kevin’s not quite like what I imagined. I thought someone wealthy like him would be somewhat frivolous... but he’s actually very career-minded!”

“Career-minded?”

Suddenly, Colin let out a derisive laugh, “Did you meet him in person? Did you have a conversation with him?”

I scratched my head, embarrassed, “Well, no. But he was willing to look at my sales proposal, isn’t that being career-minded?”

“You only know him through photographs and some official information. The most interaction you had was that he treated you to a meal, without even showing his face... and from that, you deduce he’s career-minded?” Colin reminded me indifferently.

I glanced at him cautiously and noticed that his complexion was off, dark and frightening.

I paused, then asked softly, “Colin, what’s wrong? Are you an